Violent Crash on I-5 Leaves Several Injured, Two in Critical Condition
PORTLAND, Ore. — A quiet afternoon drive turned into a nightmare on Interstate 5 Tuesday when a violent seven-vehicle crash unfolded near the Nyberg Street off-ramp, sending smoke into the sky and motorists scrambling for safety.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as sudden and terrifying — the sound of screeching tires followed by a thunderous impact that sent cars spinning out of control and left metal debris strewn across the roadway.
Emergency crews from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVFR) were dispatched to the northbound off-ramp just before 4 p.m. Initial reports indicated a single overturned vehicle with the driver trapped inside. However, responders quickly realized the scale of the crash was far greater.
Multiple vehicles had collided, and a second person was found pinned inside another car that had come to rest on its side. Firefighters acted swiftly, deploying stabilizing struts and shoring tools to prevent further movement as they extricated both victims.
Both individuals were transported to local hospitals in critical condition. Authorities say four others were treated for minor injuries at the scene but did not require further medical care.
The Oregon State Police have taken over the investigation, seeking to determine what triggered the chain-reaction collision. Traffic in the area was snarled for hours as investigators examined the crash site and cleanup crews worked to clear the wreckage.
Conclusion
The harrowing crash along I-5 is a stark reminder of how suddenly lives can be changed — or lost — on the road. As investigators search for answers, thoughts now turn to the victims fighting for recovery and the families whose lives were upended in seconds. Until then, the stretch of interstate bears the scars of a tragic afternoon that no one saw coming.